Dimensión Latina
Encyclopedia
The Dimensión Latina is one of the more famous and representative Salsa music
and Latin bands from Venezuela
, and one of the remarkable names in the early history of Salsa in the American continent. It was founded on March 15 1972 in Caracas, Venezuela, by six young musicians: Jose “Joseíto” Rodriguez (musical director and timbales
player), pianist Jesus Narvaez, the trombonists César “Albóndiga” Monjes and José Antonio “Rojitas” Rojas, the congas player Elio Pacheco and a vocalist that would soon become one of the more popular and influent singer and musician in the history of Latin music in the American continent: the singer and bass player Oscar D'León
.
Two years after its foundation, the singer Wladimir Lozano joined the group. Bearer of a singularly sweet voice, naturally talented for singing Boleros, Wladimir would form with Oscar D'León
one of the most memorable duets in Latin music. The singers Argenis Carrullo, Rodrigo Mendoza and Andy Montañez
were also notable members of Dimensión Latina.
In its long musical career, Dimensión Latina has earned numerous awards and trophies. Its fame and influence, characterized by the innovation and high quality of their powerful and elaborate choruses and unique arrangements, very quickly handed over the Venezuelan border, earning great success in its debut in New York in the "Salsa International" Festival in the Madison Square Garden
(1977), and rapidly becoming one of the most popular salsa bands in Central and South America as well as in many cities in the United States and Europe.
Among the national and international awards that Dimensión Latina has received are: in Venezuela: Six (6) "MERIDIANO DE ORO", two (2) "GUAICAIPURO DE ORO", three (3) "MUSA DE ORIENTE", three (3) "MARA DE ORO" and one (1) "MARA DE PLATINO". In Colombia: two (2) "CONGO DE ORO". In Panamá
: one (1) "BUHO DE ORO".
It is estimated that Dimensión Latina has sold about 30 million Discs, and counts more than 3000 live presentations during its long and productive history.
Salsa music
Salsa music is a genre of music, generally defined as a modern style of playing Cuban Son, Son Montuno, and Guaracha with touches from other genres of music...
and Latin bands from Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
, and one of the remarkable names in the early history of Salsa in the American continent. It was founded on March 15 1972 in Caracas, Venezuela, by six young musicians: Jose “Joseíto” Rodriguez (musical director and timbales
Timbales
Timbales are shallow single-headed drums with metal casing, invented in Cuba. They are shallower in shape than single-headed tom-toms, and usually much higher tuned...
player), pianist Jesus Narvaez, the trombonists César “Albóndiga” Monjes and José Antonio “Rojitas” Rojas, the congas player Elio Pacheco and a vocalist that would soon become one of the more popular and influent singer and musician in the history of Latin music in the American continent: the singer and bass player Oscar D'León
Oscar D'León
Oscar Emilio León Somoza, better known as Oscar D'León is a Venezuelan musician who became internationally famous for his salsa music. In Spanish, he is known as El Sonero del Mundo . His most famous song is perhaps "Llorarás," which he recorded in 1975 with his group La Dimensión Latina...
.
Two years after its foundation, the singer Wladimir Lozano joined the group. Bearer of a singularly sweet voice, naturally talented for singing Boleros, Wladimir would form with Oscar D'León
Oscar D'León
Oscar Emilio León Somoza, better known as Oscar D'León is a Venezuelan musician who became internationally famous for his salsa music. In Spanish, he is known as El Sonero del Mundo . His most famous song is perhaps "Llorarás," which he recorded in 1975 with his group La Dimensión Latina...
one of the most memorable duets in Latin music. The singers Argenis Carrullo, Rodrigo Mendoza and Andy Montañez
Andy Montañez
Andrés Montañez , better known as Andy Montañez, is a salsa singer from Puerto Rico.-Early life:Montañez, like singer Daniel Santos and boxer Ossie Ocasio, is a native of the Tras Talleres area of Santurce San Juan. He is known by the nickname "El Godfather de la Salsa"...
were also notable members of Dimensión Latina.
In its long musical career, Dimensión Latina has earned numerous awards and trophies. Its fame and influence, characterized by the innovation and high quality of their powerful and elaborate choruses and unique arrangements, very quickly handed over the Venezuelan border, earning great success in its debut in New York in the "Salsa International" Festival in the Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
(1977), and rapidly becoming one of the most popular salsa bands in Central and South America as well as in many cities in the United States and Europe.
Among the national and international awards that Dimensión Latina has received are: in Venezuela: Six (6) "MERIDIANO DE ORO", two (2) "GUAICAIPURO DE ORO", three (3) "MUSA DE ORIENTE", three (3) "MARA DE ORO" and one (1) "MARA DE PLATINO". In Colombia: two (2) "CONGO DE ORO". In Panamá
Panama
Panama , officially the Republic of Panama , is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The...
: one (1) "BUHO DE ORO".
It is estimated that Dimensión Latina has sold about 30 million Discs, and counts more than 3000 live presentations during its long and productive history.
Sources
- Corresponding article in the Spanish-language Wikipedia
- http://www.ladimensionlatina.com/historia.htm
- http://www.oscardleon.com
- Un Viaje por La Dimensión Latina - Herencia Latina - Pictures, History, Discography, References in Spanish
- Book: El vinculo es la salsa - By Juan Carlos Baez
- A History of Latin-American Popular Music
- Book: Situating Salsa - Global Markets and Local Meanings in Latin Popular Music - By Lise Waxer
- Book: The City of Musical Memory - By Lise Waxer
- Book: The Rough Guide to Cuban Music - By Philip Sweeney
- Book: World Music: The Rough Guide - By Frederick Dorian and others
- Oscar d'Leon - El sonero del mundo - SalsaFrance.com
- BBC - Radio 3 - World - Guide to World Music: Venezuela